Harris Fired Up for the Playoffs

Criticism seems to follow Laker Coach Del Harris everywhere, a circumstance he finds puzzling.

Maybe it’s because, as good friend Rick Majerus believes, Harris has the toughest job in basketball.

Maybe it’s because he lacks the championships of a Phil Jackson, the dynamism of a Pat Riley or the charisma of a Rick Pitino.

Or maybe it’s because he doesn’t have the reputation of a Chuck Daly or the playing history of a Larry Bird.

He certainly doesn’t command the lofty salary of any of those five coaches.

Maybe it’s simply a matter of high expectations for a team that won five NBA titles in the 1980s.

When the Lakers concluded a 3-3 trip seven weeks ago, it was reported that Harris, a constant target on radio talk shows, was on the verge of being fired.

Harris just doesn’t get it.

“I don’t even know what [the criticism] is,” he said. “What am I going to say?”

The Lakers have improved in each of the four years under Harris.

“I feel comfortable in saying if Shaquille [O’Neal] had played 80 games, like Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Gary Payton did, we would have had the best record in the league,” Harris said.

Two more victories and the youthful Lakers (61-21), who face the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at the Great Western Forum in the opener of a first-round playoff series, would have accomplished the feat.

Having won 22 of their final 25 games, the Lakers are one of the NBA’s hottest teams going into the playoffs. Yet some people would like to see him gone.

“It’s hard for me to talk about myself,” the 60-year-old coach said. “Coaches around the country, my peers in the NBA, have known about me through my books, clinic talks, as one of the guys who knows about the game of basketball.

“That’s what really matters to me as opposed to some unemployed guy who calls in to some radio talk show to some guy who’s never coached a game and probably never played the game, either.”

Harris was surprised by the report of his imminent dismissal. He said Laker owner Jerry Buss told him the story was ridiculous.

“The story was not true,” General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. “And the criticism does not make sense to me. To win 60 games is incredible considering our youth, considering our injuries.”

Harris says this is the best coaching job he has done.

“Nobody’s ever won a championship with this young a group,” he said. “Our development over the last six weeks gives us hope that we might be able to do that.”

Asked if he was concerned about his future, Harris said: “I’m not fighting for a job, all I’m trying to do is win the next game. . . . The teams that have stayed together with their players and coaches are the teams to beat right now. We have the ability to keep a nucleus here for a long time.”

Majerus, who coached Utah to the NCAA championship game last month, said Harris has been an important part of his life.

“There might be a better coach and a better guy in this world, but I know there’s not a better guy who coaches, not a better father, not a better caring person for his players,” said Majerus, an assistant coach with Harris for the Milwaukee Bucks 11 years ago. “The only bad thing I can say about Del is that he might be too good a person. He never lashes out.”

All-star Laker guard Eddie Jones agreed.

“Del’s one of those coaches who’s quiet, soft-spoken, doesn’t really get wild,” Jones said. “He tries to do everything with a cool head. All this stuff he’s been through in the last six weeks, it’s been crazy. I went through it earlier in the season.”

The Lakers reportedly considered trading Jones to Sacramento for Mitch Richmond.

“He handled it the right way,” Jones said. “He handled it with class. That’s when you know, he’s a man. And he treats everybody with respect.”

Reserve forward Corie Blount admits he at times has trouble understanding Harris’ reasoning. However, Blount adds, “It’s not his job to be a psychiatrist.”

Blount, who played for Jackson in Chicago, calls Harris one of the NBA’s best coaches.

“I would say so, due to the way he’s been winning,” Blount said. “He’s proven himself. I think he does the best with the talent he’s had.”